Sicily and Malta Combination Tour 2017 and 2018

In the Middle of the Mediterranean

11 Nights 12 Days

Explore these two fascinating islands at the middle of the Mediterranean famous for their once flourishing ancient cities, majestic temples, many legends and puzzling secrets. Sicily always surprises visitors with its large display of historic sites and diversity of its marvels. On Malta, the last stronghold of the heroic knights of St John you can explore medieval dungeons or prehistoric caves or get lost on the narrow alleyways of Valetta, often called, the “city of the million balconies”

Book by 31 Oct 2017 and and receive 5% early bird discount on 2018 departures!

Day 1. CATANIA. Arrive in Catania and make your own way to the hotel. Meet your guide at the hotel at 7 p.m. followed by a welcome drink and dinner. Overnight in Catania. (D)

Day 2. CATANIA SYRACUSE RAGUSA
This morning after breakfast we will travel to Syracuse, often called the “New York of the ancient Greeks” and visit the famouse archaeological site with the Greek theater and the “Dionysus’ Ear. Then continue to the heart of the city to the island of Ortigia, a remarkable UNESCO World heritage site with white buildings in Baroque Aragonese style, where you will see the interesting cathedral and the Fountain of Arethusa. Continue on to the charming town of Ragusa to admire its stunning baroque buildings. Our sightseeing will culminate in tasting of typical products of the island at the main square of the town. Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel POGGIO DEL SOLE. (BD)

Day 3. RAGUSA CALTAGIRONE PIAZZA ARMERINA AGRIGENTO
After breakfast departure to Caltagirone, a town famous for its beautiful ceramics and pottery. Continue to Piazza Armerina to marvel at the Villa Romana del Casale’s rich mosaics, an other World Heritage site during this great tour. After lunch at a local restaurant we are driving to Agrigento. Visit the Valley of the Greek Temples, the best preserved Greek temples in the world including the Temple of Juno, Concord, Heracles, Zeus and Castor & Pollux. Accommodation and dinner at hotel DIOSCURI BAY PALACE. Overnight. (BLD)

Day 4. AGRIGENTO PALERMO MONREALE
Travel to the capital, Palermo where you will have some time at your leisure. In the afternoon we drive to nearby Monreale to view the world famous golden Norman mosaics in the Cathedral and the Benedictine Cloister. Return to Palermo where we will see the Palatine Chapel, the Royal Palace and the Cathedral. Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation and overnight at GRAND HOTEL PIAZZA BORSA. (BD)

Day 5. PALERMO SEGESTA ERICE TRAPANI PALERMO
Depart to Segesta to visit the Temple and the Theatre one of the best preserved ones from antiquities. Continue to the medieval hilltop village of Erice with gorgeous views overlooking the city of Trapani below and the Egadi Island. Drive down the hill to view the unique salt windmills at Trapani before we return to Palermo. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel. (BD)

Day 6. PALERMO CEFALÙ NEBRODI PARK TAORMINA
Drive to the charming town of Cefalu to admire its well-preserved Arab-Norman Cathedral and Medieval wash house. Enjoy a walk to the city center and down main street to visit the medieval wash-house built in the rock. We’ll drive through the Nebrodi Park and enjoy lunch in the Miraglia Forest, then on to Cesarò and Randazzo to visit the north part of Mount Etna. Continue to Taormina, “the pearl of the Ionic sea”. Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel VILLA DIODORO, located near historic center of Taormina. (BLD)

Day 7. TAORMINA optional MT. ETNA
This morning weather permitting, you can join an optional excursion to Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. (euro 45 payable locally to guide). Driving uphill though fascinating landscape, we will reach a height of 1800 meters where you can enjoy a fantastic panorama of the Ionic Sea and the island. Free time for lunch on your own. Return to Taormina where you will have time at leisure to stroll around and for shopping or just to absorb its pleasant atmosphere. There will be possibility to visit the Roman – Greek theater on your own. Return to the your hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8. TAORMINA CATANIA POZZALLO MALTA
Morning at leisure. In the early afternoon, transfer from Taormina to Catania and to Pozzallo port to board the hydrofoil to Malta, the enigmatic Mediterranean island famous for its fearless knights, friendly English speaking people and mysterious megalithic structures. Transfer to your 4 star hotel, the Dolman Resort at St Paul’s Bay, late arrival at the hotel. Accommodation, due to late arrival cold dinner in your room, overnight. (BD)

Day 9. MALTA
in 2017: After breakfast we’ll visit some of Malta’s historical highlights including the Church of St Lawrence and the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa before continuing to Senglea for a panoramic view of the Grand Harbour and its massive fortifications. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring at your leisure. (BD)
In 2018: MALTA “MARSAXLOKK MARKET & THE BLUE GROTTO” Extended Half Day Excursion
Visit the idyllic fishing village of Marsaxlokk with its colourful luzzus and unique character and visit the local market. Continue the tour to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting – boat price not included) and the nearby caves. Explore one of Malta’s unspoilt villages: the main square, the hub of the village with its parish church and band club. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Dinner in your Hotel. (BD)

Day 10. VALLETTA MALTA
Morning tour of to the capital city of Valletta, stronghold of the famous knights of Malta. We’ll visit the Upper Barracca Gardens and St John’s Cathedral, home to a splendid Caravaggio painting as well as an intriguing Museum. The excursion ends with a visit to the Grandmaster’s Palace. Rest of the day at leisure to explore on your own. Dinner and overnight. (BD) In 2018 the sightseeing tour will end at the Malta Experience adio-visual show to introduce you to Malta’s history through the centuries.

Day 12. MDINA
Excursion to the Medieval town of Mdina. The sightseeing starts with a visit to the Mosta Church, renowned for its spectacular dome. Stop off at the Botanic Gardens of San Anton then proceed to Ta Qali Crafts Village to visit a glassblower, a jeweller and a potter. After lunch we visit St Paul’s Grotto in Rabat before enjoying a walking tour of the walled city of Mdina, admiring its Cathedral as well as awe-inspiring views from the city ramparts. 2018 program also includes visit to the Wignacourt Museum built by the Grand Master of the Knights of St John, Alof de Wignacourt as a Baroque dwelling of for his chaplains. (BLD)

Tour rate does no include:
• Transfer in
• Entrance fees. Cost of all entrance fees for all the tour is € 66 per person payable to the guide locally
• Beverages
• Everything which is not clearly specified under “rate included”

Prepaid entrance fees optional supplement: Euro 66 per person

If new city tax is introduced by the city council in in certain cities, the cost has to be paid directly in hotel

Optional Excursion to Mt. Etna:
Euro 45,00 per person, can be reserved in advance up to 4 days before the excursion and can only be paid locally

Hotels Used on the Tour:

CATANIA
Hotel IL Principe 4 stars

RAGUSA
HOTEL POGGIO DEL SOLE RESORT (4 stars)

AGRIGENTO
HOTEL DIOSCURI BAY PALACE (4 stars)

PALERMO:
GRAND HOTEL PIAZZA BORSA or similar (4 stars)

TAORMINA AREA:
VILLA DIODORO (4 stars)

MALTA
DOLMEN RESORT (4 stars) or similar.

Extra nights if needed in 2016:

Il Principe in Catania: euro 63 per person per night with breakfast in dbl/twin room, euro 99 in Single room, euro 46 for the third person in the room.